VILLA boss Martin O'Neill was unhappy with referee Mike Riley for his award of the free-kick which led to Steven Gerrard's late winner.

"I think Gerrard over-ran the ball and played for the free-kick. I don't think it was a foul," said O'Neill.

"Stiliyan Petrov tried to get the ball himself, but it doesn't matter what 42,000 people think, the referee gave a free-kick and he scored from it, so it is disappointing.''

O'Neill said Martin Laursen's own goal knocked the stuffing out of Villa.

"We started off wanting to be as bright as they are. But when they scored the goal we lost a wee bit of self-belief and we were chasing the game, so I was pleased to come in just a goal behind," he added.

"In the second half we matched them but there was always the possibility of them hitting us on the break."